How To Carrier Unlock Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Permanently [Tutorial]

A high-end smartphone is the topmost on everyone’s wish list of gadgets. But its premium price often forces people to hold back their desire. In such situations, buying a relatively expensive smartphone through a wireless carrier is considered a good deal since the buyer just have to pay a much subsidized price while the carrier pays the full amount to the manufacturer.

That sounds pretty good, except for one thing that could make a big difference for many. While the user gets the smartphone at a much lower rate from the wireless carrier, it gets locked down to that particular network for a certain period of time under the contract, meaning that the user cannot use a SIM card from another network during that time.

Although most users generally agree to this rule, there might be instances when you don’t want to continue with the same network provider any longer if you find the services unsatisfactory. In addition, while traveling abroad, you want roaming on your smartphone, but don’t want to use a local carrier that is partnered with the cellular service provider you’re currently subscribed to.

If you happen to experience such situations, a carrier unlock is what you should go for. These smartphones are locked using some complex software code and the hardware is nothing to do with it. Hence, there’s always a way to unlock the device, allowing the users to go for the carrier of their choice.

Thanks to the talented minds over at XDA-Developers, here is a tutorial for Samsung Galaxy Note 2 owners who want a network unlock for their devices. Developers have managed to uncover a hidden menu in Samsung’s own software that allows unlocking a pre-locked device.

Before going ahead with the unlocking process, there are some factors to consider:

- Ensure that the phone is actually locked.

- The phone must be running at least Android 4.1 Jelly Bean or higher.

- This method is tested with Galaxy Note 2 N7105. However, it is reported that it works for the N7100 - and some Galaxy S 3 models as well (not guaranteed).

- The users must note that IBTimes will not be held responsible for anything that goes wrong. They should proceed at their own risk.

Method

Step 1: On the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, launch the phone app and dial the following keys:

*#197328640#

Step 2: From the Main Menu, navigate to [1] UMTS > [1]Debug Screen > [8] Phone Control > [6] Network Lock > Options.

Step 3: In the Options screen, choose [3] Perso SHA256 OFF. After choosing this option, wait for 30 seconds.

Step 4: Now go back one step by pressing the Menu button and then select Back once. You should now be in [6] Network Lock.

Step 5: Choose [4]NW Lock NV Data INITIALLIZ. After that, wait for a minute.

Step 6: After a minute, reboot your Galaxy Note 2.

[Source: XDA Developers via Redmond Pie]

The phone should now be carrier unlocked and ready for any SIM card to be used. It should be noted that there won’t be any confirmation related to a successful unlock on the phone. You need to insert a SIM card from a different carrier to check it.